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De Villota loses right eye after F1 test crash

July 4, 2012

Maria De Villota, a test driver for Marussia F1, was critically injured in an accident last week. She has sustained severe injuries to her head and face, and lost her right eye. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

The Marussia Formula One team confirmed on Wednesday that Maria de Villota was in a critical but stable condition after undergoing surgery overnight, but the driver lost her right eye as a result of the accident.

The team said: “Subsequent to yesterday’s official statements from the Marussia F1 Team, the surgical team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge embarked on a lengthy procedure to address the serious head and facial injuries sustained by Maria in the accident. The operation began yesterday afternoon, and she was in theatre until this morning. Maria remains in a critical but stable condition.”

Later, team principal John Booth said, “Maria emerged from theatre at Addenbrooke’s Hospital this morning after a lengthy operation to address the serious head and facial injuries she received in the accident at Duxford Airfield yesterday.

“We are grateful for the medical attention that Maria has been receiving, and her family would like to thank the neurological and plastics surgical teams. However, it is with great sadness that I must report that, due to the injuries she sustained, Maria has lost her right eye.

“Maria’s care and the well-being of her family remain our priority at this time. Her family is at the hospital, and we are doing everything possible to support them.

“We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding with regard to updates on Maria’s condition. We will provide further information when it is appropriate to do so and with consideration for her family.

“In the meantime, we would all like to take this opportunity to praise the emergency services at Duxford Airfield, who were on standby yesterday, as is usual procedure for a Formula One test.

“With regard to the accident, we have embarked on a very comprehensive analysis of what happened and this work continues for the moment.

“Finally, we have been overwhelmed by messages of support for Maria, her family and the team and we would like to express our sincere gratitude for those.”